Surrey coal-handling project to get more public scrutiny: Port Metro Vancouver

Gordon Hoekstra, Vancouver Sun04.23.2013

Port Metro Vancouver, which has come under fire for approving a $200-million coal terminal expansion in North Vancouver three months ago, is now facing criticism over a proposed new $15-million coal-handling facility for the Fraser River in Surrey. It says open houses will be held in May to hear questions about the Surrey proposal.

Related

Responding to calls for more public consultation on a controversial new $15-million coal-handling facility proposed for the Fraser River in Surrey, Port Metro Vancouver says two open houses will be held in May.

The details of the open houses have not been worked out, but the plan is for project proponent Surrey Fraser Docks, BNSF rail line and Port Metro Vancouver to be on hand to answer questions.

The times and locations will be announced later.

Port Metro Vancouver, which is responsible for reviewing the project, said it called on Surrey Fraser Docks to hold the open houses because municipalities and individuals have expressed a desire for more public engagement.

“I want the public to have confidence that this port is doing an appropriate level of review on these projects,” Port Metro Vancouver vice-president corporate social responsibility Duncan Wilson told reporters Tuesday at a briefing defending the port’s review process.

Port Metro Vancouver has already came under fire by critics with environmental and health concerns for approving a $200-million coal terminal expansion in North Vancouver three months ago.

The critics said there wasn’t enough public consultation.

Critics, including health organizations such as the B.C. Lung Association, have said that before coal exports can be expanded, there should be consideration of wider health-impact issues including diesel exhaust from trains, as well as climate change.

Port Metro Vancouver says it cannot consider issues such as climate change under its review mandate.

Wilson said there have been general discussions with regional health authorities about port development, but health authorities will not be doing a health assessment on the Fraser Surrey Docks proposal.

Kevin Washbrook, the director of Voters Taking Action on Climate Change, said the two open houses are not an “adequate response to the level of opposition.”

He noted that municipalities such as Surrey, White Rock and Vancouver have cited concerns or opposition to the project.

Washbrook questioned whether Port Metro Vancouver will reject the project even if the public is overwhelmingly opposed. “Unfortunately, if they are not willing to incorporate public input into the decision-making process, then the open house concept is simply a sales pitch.”

Port Metro Vancouver noted it has turned down projects in the past, citing the rejection of a Lafarge concrete plant proposed beside New Brighton Park in east Vancouver.

Wilson would not say whether this coal project was likely to be approved.

The new Fraser Surrey Docks facility will be used to transfer thermal coal mined in the western U.S. from rail cars directly to barges. The barges will carry the coal down the Fraser River and to Texada Island for loading onto ships for export to Asia.

The facility, planned to be built by early 2014, would operate for six years. It would ship about four million tonnes of coal a year with one train delivering coal each day. Each train would be more than two kilometres long, according to a draft environmental plan. There’s a possibility that exports would increase to eight million tonnes in the sixth year.

Fraser Surrey Docks CEO Jeff Scott said it has already done a considerable amount of public consultation, but has no problem with hosting the two open houses.

“We realize there are some public concerns and we haven’t been able to reach out to everybody, so this is an opportunity to broaden that scope,” he said.

Public consultation has included sending out thousands of information pamphlets to nearby residents, and meeting with municipalities, provincial and federal politicians and neighbourhood associations, said Scott.

He said he didn’t expect the additional open houses to cause any delay in the project.

Scott noted the coal will be handled inside a building to reduce the amount of dust escaping, and that BNSF will place a topping on the coal to prevent dust escaping during delivery to Surrey.

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Share

Surrey coal-handling project to get more public scrutiny: Port Metro Vancouver

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.